Joe Paterno, the former Penn State football coach who was fired last year as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal, is not dead, but remains in serious condition as he continues to battles lung cancer, Paterno's family spokesman Dan McGinn told the media.

Earlier media reports have indicated that Paterno had passed away. However, McGinn has said the coach is still alive in serious condition, according to NBC News.

Scott Paterno, son of the coach tweeted that CBS report is wrong - Dad is alive but in serious condition. We continue to ask for your prayers and privacy during this time.

The family of the 85-year-old legendary coach issued a statement to The Associated Press earlier on Saturday, noting that Paterno has been hospitalized since Jan. 13 so as to get treatment for minor complications from his cancer treatments.

Over the last few days Joe Paterno has experienced further health complications, McGinn said a brief statement to The A P. His doctors have now characterized his status as serious.

McGinn added that Paterno's family will have no comment on the situation and that they have asked that their privacy be respected.

The AP reported that it is Paterno's second time in the hospital in a month, as he is also recovering from a broken pelvis.

Paterno was diagnosed with cancer last November. The news of Paterno's illness came days after he was ousted from the position of head coach following several child sex abuse charges against Sandusky, a former assistant coach.

Sandusky, who is now out on bail, has denied the sex abuse allegations.

Penn State's trustees decided to oust Paterno even though he had said that he would retire by the end of the season. University officials let Paterno go because they felt he failed a moral responsibility to report a 2002 allegation against Sandusky to authorities outside the university.